Begonia hydrocotylifolia Otto ex Hook. var. hybrida
A pink-flowered hybrid. Begonia hydrocotylifolia, from Mexico, is a rhizomatous begonia with hairy leaves and small rose-pink flowers in open, long-stalked clusters. [RHSD, Hortus].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Begonia hydrocotylifolia was introduced in 1841. [RHSD]. ‘This is one of the many pretty Begonias with which our stoves have been enriched through the liberality of the Royal Botanic Garden of Berlin. As far as my investigation will allow me to judge, it is not a species anywhere described: and I give it under the name by which we have received it from Mr. Otto.’ [BM t.3968/1842]. FC p.268/1846.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.143/1857].
Notes
It could possibly be one of the other early garden hybrids, for example Begonia x ingramii, produced in 1849 between Begonia fuschioides and Begonia nitida [Hortus]. Possibly a Camden Park hybrid, although no reference of such a hybrid has been has been found.
Begonia x hybrida Hort. (1889) is certainly a different plant.
Published Jun 20, 2009 - 02:03 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 04:56 PM
Begonia hydrocotylifolia Otto ex Hook. | BM t.3968/1842 | BHL
| Family | Begoniaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Mexico, but the form hybrida may be of garden origin |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Pennywort begonia, Miniature pond lily |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Begonia hybrida |
| Confidence level | low |